The Yuma Art Center is committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive creative environment by supporting artists through a range of public art opportunities and special projects.
This section serves as a dedicated resource for artists seeking to engage with our community through meaningful, place-based work. We invite both emerging and established artists to explore current opportunities, submit proposals, and contribute to the cultural landscape of Yuma.
Through these initiatives, the Yuma Art Center continues to cultivate artistic expression, encourage creative dialogue, and enrich the community through the transformative power of the arts.
Call to Artists: East Mesa Community Park Murals
The City of Yuma Division of Arts and Culture invite artists to submit original artwork designs for three new mural opportunities at East Mesa Park in Yuma. These murals will bring vibrant, engaging public art to the park while enhancing spaces where families, children, and community members gather.
We are seeking designs that reflect the spirit of play, nature, and community.
Selected designs will be purchased as design-only submissions and adapted for mural installation by the City. This is an opportunity to bring creativity and imagination into a space that will be enjoyed by the community for years to come.
TIMELINE:
Call Opens: April 28, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 13, 2026
Artist Notification: August 25, 2026
Design Finalization: September 4, 2026
Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Early November 2026
ARTIST STIPEND
Selected artist will receive a $3,000 stipend for the three (3) murals designs.
Please note: the stipend covers design work only. Fabrication and installation will be managed by the City.
Fillout Artist Application, here:
Call to Artists: East Mesa Community Park Functional Art Pieces
Artists are invited to submit designs for a public art opportunity at the new East Mesa Park in Yuma. This project will feature a series of Acadia, Arch, and Sequoia benches, each transformed into a unique work of art that reflects creativity, community, and the spirit of the area.
East Mesa Park has been thoughtfully developed with sustainability at its core, incorporating environmentally responsible practices and materials throughout its design. In alignment with these values, the selection of these benches reflects a commitment to reducing environmental impact while enhancing public space through art. By integrating functional art pieces made from repurposed materials, the project supports the park’s broader vision of sustainability, innovation, and long-term community benefit.
TIMELINE:
Call Opens: April 28, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 13, 2026
Artist Notification: August 25, 2026
Bench Installation: September 2026
Artists Begin Painting: Once benches are installed in September
Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Early November 2026
ARTIST STIPEND
Each selected artist will receive a $500 stipend for their completed bench artwork.
Please note: Supplies and materials are not included and will be the responsibility of the artist.
Fillout Artist Application, here:
Sunniest Place on Earth: Call to Artists
The Yuma Art Center invites artists from throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico for this all-media juried art show. Artists are encouraged to enter artwork in any media. The exhibition is open to all visual media, including but not limited to the following: ceramic, drawing, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed-media, painting, paper, photography, printmaking, and wood.
Prizes include: first place, $750; second place, $450; third place, $250.
The exhibition entitled "The Sunniest Place on Earth" derives its inspiration from and is exclusively hosted in Yuma, Arizona, USA, renowned as the sunniest city globally. This exhibition is curated solely at the esteemed venue of the Yuma Art Center. As verified by the Guinness World Records, Yuma boasts an average of 11 hours of sunlight per day during winter and 13 hours during summer, thus firmly establishing its position as the world record holder for the title of the "Sunniest Place on Earth."
Application Deadline: October 12, 2026
Notification: October 23, 2026
Artwork Delivery Due: November 24-25, 2026
Opening Reception: December 4, 2026 (6-8pm)
Exhibition Dates:
December 4, 2026 – January 22, 2027
Pick Up Artwork: January 26, 2027
Application Fee: $30
Fillout Biennial Juried Art Show 2026 Application, here:
The Yuma Art Center fosters a dynamic and inclusive creative environment by engaging vendors, food partners, and performers in our community events.
We invite participants of all backgrounds to explore opportunities, apply, and share their offerings and talents.
Below are our annual signature events. Apply through the JotForm links provided.
From live performances to culinary experiences and local goods, each contribution helps create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
Through these efforts, the Yuma Art Center continues to support local talent and enrich the community through shared experiences.
Opportunities below:
Yuma Rocks: Calling all Bands
Fillout Artist Band Application, here:
Yuma Con:
Vendor Hall Application, here:
Panelist Application, here:
Tribute of the Muses:
Award: Call to Artist Application, here:
Muse Award Nominations, here:
Helios Award Nominations, here:
Apollo Award Nominations, here:
Odyssey Award Nominations, here:
Sunniest Place on Earth: Call to Artists
Fillout Artist Application, here:
Art in the Park
Fillout Food Vendor Application, here:
Fillout Artist Booth Application, here:
Fillout Performer Application, here:
Dinner Theatre Fellowship: Calling all Directors
Fillout Theatre Fellowship Application, here:
Public Art Map
The public art map highlights some of the community’s favorite works of public art! Take a self-guided tour and be sure to tag #BePartOfTheArts or @YumaArtCenter in your visit.
Public Art Map
Public Art Guide
On the Yuma Art Center
The exterior of the Yuma Art Center proudly and prominently displays two murals, one by internationally acclaimed artist MOMO on the back of the center completed in 2018 and one by renowned muralist Eltono on the South facing side of the building above the Historic Yuma Theatre which was completed in 2019. Both murals were generously gifted to the Yuma Art Center by the McKivergan Foundation with in kind contributions from the Historic Coronado Motor Hotel, LG Paint, Plaza Paint, and Sun Rentals. During his 2018 artist residency, MOMO also created several smaller scaled murals throughout the Downtown area, including several trash enclosures.
Sculptures on Main Street
The Yuma Art Center oversees the City of Yuma’s sculpture collection including many works of art found in Historic Downtown Yuma. Notable pieces include three train sculptures by Shanen Aranmor which were completed through a Union Pacific Railroad Beautification Grant. Recent sculpture aquiisions also include “Nada” located in front of the Yuma Art Center which was donated by artist Antonio Jose Arce. Also in front of the center is, “Sky and Mountain Ribbon Piece: Wars and Rumors of War” by artist George Goyer. This large work of art originally stood in the front of the Yuma Art Center at the Depot location. It was donated to the Yuma Fine Arts Association in 1985 by Betty Williams on behalf of the Bess Fox Varner Fund. The sculpture was acquired by Ray and Val Drysdale after the Depot fire and was prominently and publicly displayed at their residence on Arizona Avenue for over two decades. It was donated by the Drysdale family to the City of Yuma’s public art collection in November 2019 to live once again in front of the Yuma Art Center.
Summer Mural Program
For over 20 years, the Yuma Art Center has coordinated the Summer Mural Program which has educated and employed area high school students. Through a special partnership with Arizona at Works, the program engages local youth each summer in “art boot camp” where participants pick up a paint brush for the first time. Over the course of two months participants learn life and job skills through the arts which culminate with a collaborative and community-centered work of public art. Prominent mural projects can be seen on the Yuma Civic Center, Desert Sun Stadium, Kennedy Pool, Yuma Readiness Center, John Morris Cottage, Joe Henry Optimist Center, United Building, North End Community Center, and at various Parks and City facilities.
NexGen Mural a Month Program
The Yuma Art Center has been fortunate to partner with NexGen Leadership Council on the Mural a Month Program which has coordinated several murals throughout the Yuma area. With funding from the Arizona Community Foundation and private sponsors, the center has assisted in administering and coordinating the following mural projects: Adry Del Rocio’s mural on Del Sol Market, Lupoli’s “Greetings from Yuma” mural, Alonso Delgadillo’s murals on the School of Beauty and MGM Design, Ruben Poncia’S mural on Alice Byrne Elementary School among others.
Arizona Creative Communities Institute – DIY Murals
The AZ Creative Communities Institute (AZ CCI) offered small teams, made up of diverse members of Arizona communities, a unique opportunity to explore the many ways creativity can be put to work for positive community impact. AZ CCI teams became part of an active learning network, learning from and with local and national experts, as well as peers from other Arizona cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Under AZ CCI, Team Yuma developed the DIY Murals Project, a public art initiative with the goal of cross-pollinating community members and beautifying the community. DIY Murals is an ultra-participatory project that puts paint brushes directly in the hands of the community to paint a mural together! But why? Because the arts transcend barriers! From language to location, we know the arts have the power to bring a community together and build civic pride. In October 2018, three murals were created: one on the Foothills Library, one at the Big Curve in front of Lowe’s in Yuma, and one in the PPEP Park in San Luis. In 2019 additional murals were completed at Roxaboxen Park in Yuma, City Hall Courtyard in Somerton, Rolls and Bowls Restaurant in San Luis, and on the Music Building at Arizona Western College in the Foothills. Team Yuma includes: Abraham Andrade, Owner of Rolls and Bowls and Co-Founder of Chicano Art Collective, Lindsay Benacka (Team Lead), Arts and Culture Program Manager for the City of Yuma, and Isaac Russell, a Director at Littlewood Fine Art and Community Co-Op and Ann Wilkinson, Theatre Professor at Arizona Western College. The project was designed in part by artists Brad Downey, Lia Littlewood, and Lucinda Yrene ‘La Morena’ and community members, Maria McKivergan and Cari Jean Nelson.
Interested in public on your property or donating to the community?
Contact Ana P. Padilla, Arts and Culture Program Manager at Ana.Padilla@yumaaz.gov.
